Catalyst material for the oxidation of hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

A catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, is specified, comprising a) molybdenum (Mo), b) vanadium (V), c) niobium (Nb), d) tellurium (Te), e) nickel (Ni), f) tungsten (W) and g) manganese (Mn), in which the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum lies in the range 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to 0.3:1. Furthermore, a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, a use of the catalyst material or of the catalyst, a method for producing a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and a method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid is specified.

This application is a U.S. National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/065553, filed Aug. 8, 2012, which in turn claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 109 774.4, filed Aug. 9, 2011.

The present invention relates to a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, a use of the catalyst material or of the catalyst, a method for producing a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and a method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

MoVNbTeO_(x) mixed oxides for the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid are state of the art. More than 200 patents and numerous scientific publications discuss catalysts based on MoVNbTe mixed oxides. The promotion of these mixed oxides with other metals of the periodic table is known. The highest acrylic acid yields previously described are 50%.

The MoVNbTe base system, based on four elements, for a catalyst was first proposed by Mitsubishi for the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile (1991) and the oxidation to acrylic acid (1994). Since then, numerous further publications have dealt with the improvement of this catalyst for example by promotion, supporting and “spiking” with noble metals.

The previously achieved yields of 50% appear to be insufficient for a commercialization of the process. Yields at approximately 60 to 65% acrylic acid are desired. However, such yields have not yet been achieved with multi-metal systems based on four or five elements.

Catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes are usually complex multi-metal oxides, based on molybdenum and vanadium oxides. As previously explained, catalysts for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid are of particular interest, wherein only yields of approximately 50% acrylic acid have been achieved with mixed oxides of molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and tellurium.

MoVNbTeO_(x) catalysts mainly consist of two orthorhombic phases, which are called “M1” and “M2” (T. Ushikubo, K. Oshima, A. Kayou, M. Hatano, Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 112, (1997), 473). The phase M1 seems to play a part in the propane activation as an example of an oxidative dehydrogenation, while the phase M2 could be active and selective in the oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid. The M2 phase has more tellurium than the phase M1. It is assumed that Te is an active element in the propylene conversion. It is additionally assumed that Te has a stabilizing effect on the M1 phase.

According to P. De Santo et al., Z. Kristallogr. 219 (2004) 152, the main phases M1 and M2 in multi-metal oxide catalysts for the oxidation of propane can be described for example with the following structural formulae: Mo₁V_(0.15)Te_(0.12)Nb_(0.128)O_(3.7) or Mo_(7.8)V_(1.2)Te_(0.937)Nb₁O_(28.9)  M1: Mo₁V_(0.32)Te_(0.42)Nb_(0.08)O_(4.6) or Mo_(4.31)V_(1.36)Te_(1.81)Nb_(0.33)O_(19.81)  M2:

Attempts have also been made to partially replace tellurium with caesium in the M2 structure. An improved activity for the ammoxidation of propylene to acrylonitrile was observed with such a catalyst (H. Hibst, F. Rosowski, G. Cox, Catal. Today 2006, 117, 234-241).

Furthermore, as mentioned above, promotions of the MoVNbTe base system with other metals have been tested. For example, WO 2008/046843 describes mixed oxide catalysts which contain bismuth.

The object of the present invention was to provide a catalyst material which promotes the yield and/or selectivity of the oxidation of hydrocarbons, in particular the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

This object is achieved by a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons according to claim 1 or 17, a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons according to claim 11, a use of the catalyst material or of the catalyst according to claim 13, a method for producing a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons according to claim 14 and a method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid according to claim 18.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, comprising

-   -   a) molybdenum (Mo)     -   b) vanadium (V)     -   c) niobium (Nb)     -   d) tellurium (Te)     -   e) nickel (Ni)     -   f) tungsten (W) and     -   g) manganese (Mn)         in which the molar ratio of at least one element, which is         selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum lies         in the range of from 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15         and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to 0.3:1.

In a further embodiment, a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is provided comprising a catalyst material according to the above embodiment.

Another embodiment relates to a use of a catalyst material according to the first-named embodiment above or of a catalyst of the above embodiment for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons or for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

In a further embodiment, a method for producing a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is provided, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, comprising providing a catalyst material as catalyst precursor material according to the first-named embodiment above as aqueous mixture, and thermally treating the aqueous mixture at temperatures of from 150 to 200° C. for at least 1 hour. The pressure used in the process can lie in the range of from 5 to 30 bar, preferably 10 to 27 bar.

All non-mutually exclusive features described here of embodiments and examples can be combined with one another. Elements of one embodiment can be used in the other embodiments without further mention. Embodiments and examples of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to figures, without wishing to limit them thereby. There are shown in:

FIG. 1 a graphic representation of the acrylic acid yield against the propane conversion rate of examples described here;

FIG. 2 a graphic representation of the selectivity for acrylic acid against the propane conversion rate of the examples described here; and

FIG. 3 an X-ray diffractogram of an example.

Embodiments and examples of the invention are described here with reference to a catalyst material with an MoVNbTe base system doped with nickel, tungsten and manganese, in which the molar ratio of vanadium, niobium and tellurium to molybdenum lies in the range of from approximately 0.15:1 to approximately 0.3:1 or from approximately 0.17:1 to approximately 0.27:1 and in which the molar ratio of nickel, tungsten and manganese to molybdenum lies in the range of from approximately 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.025:1 to approximately 0.3:1, without limiting the invention to this.

The term “hydrothermal” predominantly refers to reaction conditions for producing a catalyst material in the presence of water and at increased temperature and/or increased pressure, for example in an autoclave. In particular, the term “hydrothermal” refers to the reaction conditions of a method for producing a catalyst material by providing a catalyst precursor material as aqueous mixture, followed by thermal treatment at increased temperature, e.g. at 150 to 200° C. for at least 1 hour, without limiting the invention to this.

In embodiments, the term “comprising” includes “substantially consisting of” or “consisting of” and can be replaced by these. This applies accordingly to grammatical variants of the word “comprising”. Furthermore, when value ranges are described here, the specification of a wide range with narrower alternative or preferred ranges also discloses ranges which can be formed by any combination of specified lower range limits with specified upper range limits.

In addition, in embodiments of the invention, the term “free of”, for example free of particular elements of the periodic table, means substantially free of these elements. For example, the elements in question are present in the catalyst material in immeasurably small concentrations or in ranges of less than 500 ppm.

As explained above, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, comprising a) molybdenum (Mo), b) vanadium (V), c) niobium (Nb), d) tellurium (Te), e) nickel (Ni), f) tungsten (W) and g) manganese (Mn), in which the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum lies in the range of from approximately 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to approximately 0.3:1. In a variant of this embodiment, the molar ratio of all elements, selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum can lie in the range of from approximately 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to approximately 0.3:1.

Furthermore, the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from vanadium, niobium and tellurium, to molybdenum can lie in the range of from approximately 0.15:1 to approximately 0.3:1 or approximately 0.17:1 to approximately 0.27:1. For example, the molar ratio of vanadium to molybdenum can lie in the range of from approximately 0.15:1 to approximately 0.3:1 and/or the molar ratio of niobium and/or tellurium to molybdenum can lie in the range of from approximately 0.17:1 to approximately 0.27:1.

It has surprisingly been shown within the framework of the present invention that the use of an MoVNbTe base system, which is doped at the same time with Ni, W and Mn, as catalyst material leads to previously unachieved yields of oxidation products of hydrocarbons, in particular in the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid. It was furthermore found that surprisingly high selectivities can also be achieved.

If the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum lies in the range of from approximately 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to approximately 0.3:1 and/or the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from vanadium, niobium and tellurium, to molybdenum lies in the range of from approximately 0.15:1 to approximately 0.3:1 or approximately 0.17:1 to approximately 0.27:1, particularly suitable yields and/or selectivities in the oxidation of hydrocarbons can be achieved.

The catalyst material can be used as active material or in an active material for producing catalysts.

In further embodiments, the X-ray diffractogram of the catalyst material can have diffraction reflexes h, i, k and l, the peaks of which lie approximately at the diffraction angles (2θ) 26.2±0.5 (h), 27.0±0.5 (i), 7.8±0.5 (k) and 28.0±0.5 (l), wherein the intensities P_(h), P_(i), P_(k), P_(l) of the diffraction reflexes h, i, k and l can satisfy the following equations, with R_(x (x=1 to 3)) as the intensity ratio defined by the equations: R ₁ =P _(h)/(P _(h) +P _(i))>0.3, preferably >0.35 and particularly preferably >0.4; and/or R ₂ =P _(i)/(P _(i) +P _(l))>0.5, preferably >0.6 and particularly preferably >0.63; and/or R ₃ =P _(i)/(P _(i) +P _(k))<0.8, preferably <0.75, particularly preferably <0.7.

In the X-ray diffractogram of embodiments of the catalyst material, the diffraction reflex i can have the second highest intensity and/or the diffraction reflex h can have the third highest intensity.

In embodiments, of the diffraction reflexes h, i, k and l, the diffraction reflex i can have the highest intensity and/or the diffraction reflex h can have the second highest intensity and/or the diffraction reflex l can have the third highest intensity.

According to embodiments, the catalyst material can be a catalyst precursor material.

In embodiments, the catalyst precursor material can contain at least one excipient, with a molar ratio of at least one of the excipients to molybdenum in the range of from 0.05:1 to 0.15:1 or from 0.06:1 to 0.1:1. The at least one excipient can furthermore be selected from polyols, polyetherols, in particular ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, butylene glycol, and/or from citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, oxamic acid, oxaloacetic acid, tricarballylic acid, glyceric acid, tartronic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, sorbitol, mannitol, maleic acid, fumaric acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or any mixture thereof.

The catalyst precursor material can contain citric acid, with a molar ratio of citric acid to molybdenum in the range of from approximately 0.05:1 to approximately 0.15:1, preferably in the range of from approximately 0.06:1 to approximately 0.1:1. It can be especially preferred if the excipient, e.g. the citric acid, is contained with a molar ratio to molybdenum of approximately 0.06:1, 0.08:1 or 0.1:1.

In further embodiments, the catalyst material of the above embodiments and examples can contain such quantities of vanadium, niobium, tellurium, nickel, tungsten, manganese and/or citric acid that these have approximately the following molar ratios to molybdenum:

V: 0.22 or 0.27

Nb: 0.17 or 0.18

Te: 0.17 or 0.18

Ni: 0.05, 0.075 or 0.1

W: 0.05 or 0.075

Mn: 0.0025, 0.0075, 0.05 or 0.01 and/or

citric acid: 0.1, 0.6, or 0.8.

These molar ratios of the named metals to molybdenum lead to particularly suitable catalyst precursor materials or catalyst materials and thus to particularly high yields of acrylic acid and/or a particularly high selectivity in the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

According to embodiments, the catalyst material can be a mixed oxide and/or a multi-metal oxide.

In embodiments, the catalyst material is a mixed oxide with the formula MoV_(a)Nb_(b)Te_(c)Ni_(d)W_(e)Mn_(f)O_(x) in which at least one of the following conditions approximately applies: a=0.22 or 0.27 b=0.17 or 0.18 c=0.17 or 0.18 d=0.05, 0.075 or 0.1 e=0.05 or 0.075 f=0.0025, 0.0075, 0.05 or 0.01 and x=mole number which is determined by the valence and frequency of the elements other than oxygen.

This mixed oxide can be obtained for example by a hydrothermal synthesis and/or after an activation and/or calcining of the above catalyst precursor material.

In a variant of the above embodiment, the catalyst material as mixed oxide also contains carbon, which can form in the hydrothermal synthesis and/or activation and/or calcining from the citric acid or other excipients.

Instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned citric acid, the following can be used as excipient in embodiments: polyols, polyetherols, in particular propylene glycol, glycerol, butylene glycol, and/or tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, oxamic acid, oxaloacetic acid, tricarballylic acid, glyceric acid, tartronic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, sorbitol, mannitol, maleic acid, fumaric acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or any mixture thereof. In these cases, the catalyst material can contain carbon as mixed oxide in small residual quantities. The quantities of carbon are negligibly small in some examples, e.g. if the material is calcined in air at ˜300° C.

In variants of embodiments, the catalyst material can be free of at least one element selected from Ta, In, Cu, Ce, Cr, Bi, Fe, P, Sb, Sn, Si, Ti, Zr, Co, noble metals, such as Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, Au. This leads to a particularly advantageous structure of the mixed oxide with regard to the yields of acrylic acid and/or selectivities achievable when used as catalytically active material during the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

The catalyst material can be obtainable or obtained hydrothermally in embodiments, for example by one of the hydrothermal syntheses described here. Alternatively or in addition, the catalyst material can be activated, for example by a thermal treatment in a stream of inert gas. Furthermore, the catalyst material can be present in powder form.

As regards the phase composition of the catalyst material, in embodiments the M1 phase can be predominantly present, relative to the catalyst material, e.g. >70 wt.-% M1, preferably >80 wt.-% M1, particularly preferably >90 wt.-% M1, wherein the remainder can consist predominantly or substantially of the M2 phase. The remainder can contain for example more than 90 wt.-%, preferably more than 95 wt.-%, more preferably more than 98 wt.-% M2 phase, or substantially consist of the M2 phase. In embodiments of the invention, the catalyst material can also contain phase-pure M1 or substantially consist thereof.

Furthermore, in embodiments the catalyst material can have a specific surface area according to BET, also called BET surface area, in the range of from 1 to 30 m²/g or in the range of from 5 to 25 m²/g or in the range of from 8 to 15 m²/g, in particular 12 m²/g.

As indicated above, the present invention also relates to a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons which comprises a catalyst material according to an embodiment of the present invention. The catalyst material can be applied to a support of the catalyst. For example, the pulverulent catalyst material can be applied suspended in a so-called washcoat and/or dissolved on a catalyst support, which can be formed annular, by dipping, spraying or in another way. The material of the support or catalyst support can contain for example ceramic, steatite, Duranite, silicon oxide, silicates, aluminium oxide, aluminates, silicon carbide, metallic Raschig rings or mixtures thereof or can substantially consist thereof.

The catalyst material according to embodiments or the catalyst of embodiments can be used for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons or for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid. As explained above, yields of acrylic acid of over 50%, e.g. up to 59%, can be achieved.

The catalyst material according to the invention for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, can be produced by a method which comprises: providing a catalyst precursor material of an embodiment as aqueous mixture, and thermally treating the aqueous mixture at temperatures of from approximately 100 to 250° C. or 150 to 200° C. for at least 1 hour. Preferred temperatures are 160 to 190° C. or 170 to 180° C. The pressure can lie in the range of from 5 to 30 bar, preferably from 10 to 27 bar. Examples of pressure ranges are 11 to 15 bar, approximately 17 bar and 22 to 25 bar.

The aqueous mixture can be produced as suspension or as solution.

The method can include one or more steps of washing, filtering, e.g. filtering off the mother liquor, drying, activating and/or grinding.

After the thermal treatment of the aqueous mixture, the thermally treated mixture can be activated e.g. in an inert gas atmosphere at approximately 500 to 700° C. for at least 1 hour. It is preferred if the thermal treatment takes place at a temperature in the range of from 100 to 250° C. and/or the activation takes place in the range of from 550 to 650° C. For example, the thermal treatment can be carried out at approximately 175° C. for approximately 3 hours and/or the activation can take place at approximately 600° C. for approximately 2 hours.

One embodiment of the invention specifies a catalyst material which is obtainable or obtained by a method according to an embodiment.

The invention also relates to a method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst according to the invention.

Methods

To determine the parameters of the catalysts according to the invention, the following methods are used:

1. BET Surface Area:

The determination takes place according to the BET method in accordance with DIN 66131; a publication of the BET method is also found in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 60, 309 (1938). The sample to be determined was dried in a U-shaped quartz reactor at 200° C. under Ar atmosphere (F=50 ml(min) for 1.5 h). The reactor was then cooled to room temperature, evacuated and dipped in a Dewar flask with liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen adsorption was carried out at 77 K with an RXM 100 sorption system (Advanced Scientific Design, Inc.).

The BET surface area was determined in respect of the samples of the catalyst material in each case using the uncalcined material dried under vacuum at 200° C. The data in the present description with respect to the BET surface areas of the catalyst material also relate to the BET surface areas of the catalyst material used in each case (dried under vacuum at 200° C., uncalcined).

2. Powder X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD)

The X-ray diffractogram was produced by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and evaluation according to the Scherrer formula. The XRD diffractograms were measured using the catalyst materials activated at 600° C. in nitrogen. Measurement took place in a PW 1050 Bragg-Brentano parafocussing goniometer based on a Philips PW 3710 model at 40 kV and 35 mA using Cu Ka radiation (lambda=0.15418 nm), a graphite monochromator and a proportional counter. The XRD scans were recorded digitally with a step size of 0.04° (2 theta, 2θ).

3. Elemental Analysis

To ascertain the elemental composition, ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) was carried out with the ICP Spectro Modula device. The following were used as chemicals: HF 40% pA., HCl 37% pA. The sample was finely ground. 50 mg of the sample was weighed into a 50-ml plastic tube and 2 ml hydrofluoric acid and 2 ml hydrochloric acid were added. Solubilization took place in a heating block at 85° C. until a clear solution formed. This was followed by tempering, filling up and shaking. All elements were measured using ICP: Mo: wavelength: 202.030 nm, standards: 300, 400, 500 ppm; V: wavelength: 290.882 nm, standards: 20, 50, 100 ppm; Nb: wavelength: 316.340 nm, standards: 20, 50, 100 ppm; Te: wavelength: 214.281 nm, standards: 50, 100, 150 ppm.

All standards were adjusted with HF and HCl. The evaluation followed the following calculation: w(E* in percent)=β(E*−measurement value in mg/l)×V(measuring flask in l)×100/m(initial weight in mg) (E*=respective element).

EXAMPLES

Examples 1 to 6 were carried out in which the molar ratios of vanadium, niobium, tellurium, nickel, tungsten, manganese to molybdenum were varied. Citric acid, the molar ratio of which to molybdenum was likewise varied, was additionally used as reducing agent and/or chelating agent.

Table 1 shows the combinations of components of the composition chosen and finally measured with ICP-AES in Examples 1 to 6 in respect of the molar ratio to molybdenum.

TABLE 1 Citric Mo V Mn Nb Ni Te acid W Ex. 1 1 0.22 0.01 0.18 0.05 0.18 0.1 0.05 Ex. 2 1 0.22 0.0075 0.18 0.05 0.18 0.06 0.05 Ex. 3 1 0.22 0.0075 0.18 0.075 0.18 0.08 0.05 Ex. 4 1 0.22 0.05 0.18 0.05 0.18 0.08 0.05 Ex. 5 1 0.22 0.05 0.18 0.05 0.17 0.08 0.05 Ex. 6 1 0.27 0.0025 0.17 0.1 0.17 0.06 0.075

Listed in Table 2 are the corresponding quantities of the compounds of the respective metals used, which were combined for Examples 1 to 6 into the respective catalyst precursor material mixtures. 0.025 mol molybdenum was used in each example.

TABLE 2 Mn(NO₃)₂ × Nb Ni(NO₃)₂ × MoO₃ V₂O₅ 4H₂O oxalate* 6H₂O Te(OH)₆ Citric WO₃ H₂O [g] [g] [g] [ml] [g] [g] acid [g] [g] [ml] Ex. 3.5985 0.05002 0.0628 11.25 0.3635 1.0334 0.4803 0.2898 39 1 Ex. 3.5985 0.05002 0.0471 11.25 0.3635 1.0334 0.2882 0.2898 39 2 Ex. 3.5985 0.05002 0.0471 11.25 0.5452 1.0334 0.3842 0.2898 39 3 Ex. 3.5985 0.05002 0.3138 11.25 0.3635 1.0334 0.3842 0.2898 39 4 Ex. 3.5985 0.05002 0.3138 11.25 0.3635 0.9760 0.3842 0.2898 39 5 Ex. 3.5985 0.6138 0.0157 10.63 0.7270 0.9760 0.2882 0.4347 39 6 *0.4M Nb solution of (NH₄)(NbO(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O )₂) × 3H₂O

Nb oxalate was provided as 0.4 M Nb solution which had a total volume of 100 ml, in which 17.3996 g of the Nb oxalate compound named in the table was dissolved.

The production of the catalyst materials of Examples 1 to 6 was carried out in each case as follows:

MoO₃, V₂O₅, Te(OH)₆, WO₃ and Ni(NO₃)₂×6H₂O were mixed in the quantities named in Table 2 with a mortar. Then, as described above, the 0.4 M aqueous solution of Nb oxalate was produced. Then Mn(NO₃)₂×4H₂O and citric acid were added to the Nb oxalate solution. The thus-obtained solid and liquid phases were mixed in a Teflon reaction vessel and distilled water was added to same in the quantity named in Table 2. Rinsing with nitrogen was then carried out for approx. 2 minutes at a flow rate of 30 ml/min. A hydrothermal synthesis in a microwave oven then took place at a set temperature of 175° C. for 3 hours at a starting pressure of from 5 to 6 bar and a maximum pressure of approximately 30 bar accompanied by stirring, wherein cruciform magnetic stirring bars were used. During the hydrothermal synthesis the temperature fluctuated between 175 and 210° C. The reaction mixture was then cooled and treated by washing three times with 50 ml distilled water. Drying was then carried out overnight at 120° C. and the obtained material was then ground with a mortar in an agate mortar. Finally, the obtained reaction product was activated in the N₂ stream at 600° C. for 2 hours.

The BET surface area of the catalyst materials was determined as explained above as 12 m²/g for each of Examples 1 to 6.

An oxidation of propane was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the catalyst materials which were obtained in Examples 1 to 6. A multichannel continuous flow reactor was used for this, and the propane to be tested was admitted evenly through its channels. The catalyst materials of Examples 1 to 6 to be tested were filled respectively into different channels. Each channel contained approx. 500 mg of the respective catalyst material. The throughflow rate was 20 ml/min/channel, which corresponds to a GHSV of 2400 h⁻¹. The reaction temperature was 400° C. The composition of the gas was propane:Kr:O₂:He:H₂O=3:1:6:70:20. The oxidation was carried out for approx. 6 h. The quadrupole mass spectrometer Prisma QMS 2000 from Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology was used for the product analysis.

Table 3 reproduces the conversion rates for propane and oxygen achieved with the catalyst materials of Examples 1 to 6, as well as the yields and selectivity for acrylic acid.

TABLE 3 Propane Oxygen Acrylic Acrylic acid conversion conversion acid yield selectivity [%] [%] [%] [%] Ex. 1 61 77 49 77 Ex. 2 64 80 47 74 Ex. 3 71 92 50 70 Ex. 4 65 70 52 81 Ex. 5 74 88 55 74 Ex. 6 73 88 54 74

The results listed in Table 3 are represented graphically in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein FIG. 1 relates to the acrylic acid yield and FIG. 2 shows the acrylic acid selectivity. It can be seen that the yield of acrylic acid reached values of over 50%. Additionally, FIG. 2 shows that the catalyst materials of Examples 1 to 6 possessed at the same time a high selectivity for the formation of acrylic acid.

In addition, it can be seen from Table 3 that high values were also achieved for the conversion of oxygen using the catalyst materials of the examples.

Catalyst materials in which Mn, Ni and/or W were not contained were produced as comparison examples 1 to 3. The production was carried out as described for Examples 1 to 6, but the V, Mn, Nb, Ni, Te, citric acid and W contents were adapted such that the molar ratios to molybdenum named in the following Table 4 were obtained.

TABLE 4 Comparison ex. Mo V Mn Nb Ni Te Citric acid W 1 1 0.27 0.00 0.18 0.10 0.17 0.00 0.05 2 1 0.26 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.16 0.12 0.10 3 1 0.27 0.00 0.18 0.10 0.17 0.00 0.00

Table 5 reproduces the conversion rates for propane obtained with comparison examples 1 to 3, as well as the associated acrylic acid yields and selectivities.

TABLE 5 Propane Acrylic Acrylic acid Comparison conversion acid yield selectivity ex. [%] [%] [%] 1 45 32 72 2 55 38 70 3 53 39 73

Tables 3 and 5 show that a higher conversion rate for propane and a higher acrylic acid yield were achieved in the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid with the catalyst materials according to the invention in comparison with catalyst materials in which Mn, Ni and/or W were not contained.

In the oxidation of hydrocarbons, the catalyst materials according to the invention thus bring about high yields and/or a high selectivity, in particular in the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid.

FIG. 3 shows an XRD diffractogram of Example 5 recorded as described above. Diffraction reflexes with the following characteristic diffraction angles, or their peaks, with high intensity can be seen in the diffractogram: P1=(2θ) 6.56 with an intensity of 134 (arbitrary units (a.u.)); P2=(2θ) 7.8 with an intensity of 260 (a.u.); P3=(2θ) 8.96 with an intensity of 162 (a.u.). It can be concluded from these diffraction reflexes that the M1 phase is present in the sample of Example 5 in a proportion of over 70 wt.-% to up to 100 wt.-%. Further pronounced diffraction reflexes, or peaks of the associated diffraction angles, P4=(2θ) 26.16 (rounded to 26.2) with an intensity of 320 (a.u.), P5=(2θ) 27.04 (rounded to 27.0) with an intensity of 466 (a.u.), P6=(2θ) 28.0 with an intensity of 233 (a.u.), as well as P7=(2θ) 35.04 with an intensity of 128 (a.u.) and P8=(2θ) 48.44 with an intensity of 121 (a.u.) can also be seen. Deviations of ±0.5 may occur for the peaks of all diffraction angles. For example, the following characteristic intensity ratios result therefrom: R1=P4/(P4+P5)=0.407 R2=P5/(P5+P6)=0.667 R3=P5/(P5+P2)=0.642 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, comprising a) molybdenum (Mo) b) vanadium (V) c) niobium (Nb) d) tellurium (Te) e) nickel (Ni) f) tungsten (W) and g) manganese (Mn) in which the molar ratio of the elements, nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum each lies in the range of from 0.0025:1 to 0.3:1.
 2. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from vanadium, niobium and tellurium, to molybdenum lies in the range of from 0.15:1 to 0.3:1 or 0.17:1 to 0.27:1; and/or with an X-ray diffractogram which has diffraction reflexes h, i, k and l the peaks of which lie at the diffraction angles (2θ) 26.2±0.5 (h), 27.0±0.5 (i), 7.8±0.5 (k) and 28.0±0.5 (l); and/or in which the intensities P_(h), P_(i), P_(k), P_(l) of the diffraction reflexes h, i, k and l of the X-ray diffractogram satisfy the following equations, with R_(x (x=1 to 3)) as the intensity ratio defined by the equations: R ₁ =P _(h)/(P _(h) +P _(i))>0.4; and/or R ₂ =P _(i)/(P _(i) +P _(l))>0.63; and/or R ₃ =P _(i)/(P _(i) +P _(k))<0.7; and/or in which, in the X-ray diffractogram, the diffraction reflex i has the second highest intensity and/or the diffraction reflex h has the third highest intensity.
 3. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the catalyst material is a catalyst precursor material.
 4. Catalyst material according to claim 3, in which the catalyst precursor material contains at least one excipient, with a molar ratio of at least one of the excipients to molybdenum in the range of from 0.05:1 to 0.15:1 or from 0.06:1 to 0.1:1; and/or in which the at least one excipient is selected from polyols, polyetherols, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, butylene glycol, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, oxamic acid, oxaloacetic acid, tricarballylic acid, glyceric acid, tartronic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, sorbitol, mannitol, maleic acid, fumaric acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or any mixture thereof.
 5. Catalyst material according to claim 3, in which at least one excipient is contained with a molar ratio to molybdenum of 0.06:1, 0.08:1 or 0.1:1.
 6. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which vanadium, niobium, tellurium, nickel, tungsten, manganese and/or citric acid have the following molar ratios to molybdenum: V: 0.22 or 0.27 Nb: 0.17 or 0.18 Te: 0.17 or 0.18 Ni: 0.05, 0.075 or 0.1 W: 0.05 or 0.075 Mn: 0.0025, 0.0075, 0.05 or 0.01 and/or citric acid: 0.1, 0.6, or 0.8.
 7. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the catalyst material is a mixed oxide with the formula MoV_(a)Nb_(b)Te_(c)Ni_(d)W_(e)Mn_(f)O_(x) and in which at least one of the following conditions applies: a=0.22 or 0.27 b=0.17 or 0.18 c=0.17 or 0.18 d=0.05, 0.075 or 0.1 e=0.05 or 0.075 f=0.0025, 0.0075, 0.05 or 0.01 and x=mole number which is determined by the valence and frequency of the elements other than oxygen.
 8. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the catalyst material contains a diluent or carbon.
 9. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the catalyst material is free of at least one element selected from Ta, In, Cu, Ce, Cr, Bi, Fe, P, Sb, Sn, Si, Ti, Zr, Co, noble metals, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt and Au.
 10. Catalyst material according to claim 1, in which the catalyst material is obtained and/or activated hydrothermally and/or is pulverulent; and/or in which the catalyst material contains phase-pure M1 phase or substantially consists thereof; and/or in which the catalyst material contains more than 70 wt.-% M1 phase, more than 80 wt.-% M1 phase, or more than 90 wt.-% M1 phase, and/or the remainder contains more than 90 wt.-%, more than 95 wt.-%, more than 98 wt.-% M2 phase or substantially consists of the M2 phase; and/or in which the catalyst material has a specific surface area according to BET in the range of from 1 to 30 m²/g or in the range of from 5 to 25 m²/g or in the range of from 8 to 15 m²/g or 12 m²/g.
 11. Catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, comprising a catalyst material according to claim
 1. 12. Catalyst according to claim 11, in which the catalyst material is applied to a support.
 13. Method for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons or for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid comprising conducting the oxidization and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst according to claim
 1. 14. Method for producing a catalyst material according to claim 1 for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, comprising providing a catalyst precursor material according to claim 3 as aqueous mixture, and thermally treating the aqueous mixture at temperatures of from 100 to 250° C. or 150 to 200° C. for at least 1 hour, and/or at 5 to 30 bar or 10 to 27 bar.
 15. Method according to claim 14, comprising activating the thermally treated mixture in an inert gas atmosphere at 500 to 700° C. or 550 to 650° C. for at least 1 hour.
 16. Method according to claim 14, in which the thermal treatment is carried out at 175° C. for 3 hours and/or in which the activation is carried out at 600° C. for 2 hours.
 17. Catalyst material, obtainable or obtained by a method according to claim
 14. 18. Method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst according to claim
 11. 19. Method for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons or for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid comprising conducting the oxidization and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst according to claim
 11. 